|
 It's a good thing because Pittsburgh were unable to seal a
post-season berth with the San Francisco Giants sealing a 4-2 win at
San Diego later on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said he had met with his senior
players who decided the team would not wait in the clubhouse for the
outcome of the Giants game but return to their hotel.
"When it's official, it's official ... I'd rather go home and go to
bed," said Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, implying his
team's goals are higher than just clinching a playoff spot.
The Pirates scored in each of the first four innings, totaling their
six runs, against Colorado starter Chris Rusin (5-9) on Tuesday to
clinch their 91st win of the season.
J.A. Happ (10-8) worked 5-1/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven
hits with one walk and eight strikeouts after 82 pitches
Happ has gone 6-1 with a 1.73 ERA in his past seven games.
"I felt OK," said Happ, who yielded a homer to catcher Wilin Rosario
in the second and two runs in the third.
"I felt like I've had better fastball command in previous games.
Definitely gave it what I had tonight. It was a battle out there.
Left a few pitches over the plate. Overall felt like I kept us in
there."
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Mark Melancon retired the side in order in the ninth and earned his
49th save, extending his franchise record.
He is trying to become the seventh National League reliever to save
50 or more games in a season and the first since Craig Kimbrel (50)
with the Braves in 2013.
"He's closing ball games as efficiently as anybody in the major
leagues," Hurdle said.
"He does it with miss-hits, not big strikeout numbers. He's a pro
out there."
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury)
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